Ah, May! The daylight hours are long and the social calendar is filling up. But here in the clinic we’re noticing a common theme: not everybody’s energy is matching the season.
If you’re feeling more like hibernating than holidaying, then sure it may be a busy week, but it could be a frequently overlooked gap in your nutrition.
The Vitamin B12 Gap: Are you ‘fine’ on paper and drained in real life?
At Hackney Podiatry & Health, we see it all the time: patients told their blood tests are ‘within range’ yet they are struggling with brain fog, exhaustion, and low mood.
There is a significant gap in how Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated. In Europe and the US, levels below 500pg/ml are considered low. In the UK, that threshold drops to just 170pg/ml. This means you can be sent away with a clean bill of health while feeling completely depleted.
Why does Vitamin B12 matter?
Vitamin B12 is essential for your nervous system, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. It’s the missing link that unlocks your body’s ability to use iron. Without it your stamina and recovery can stall, even if your iron stores look normal.
Are you experiencing these “hidden” symptoms?
Deficiency is often misdiagnosed as anxiety, menopause, or just a natural part of the aging process. If you recognise these, your levels might be sub-optimal:
- Extreme tiredness and lack of energy
- Pins and needles or tingling in your feet
- Memory loss (the classic “why did I walk into this room?” moment)
- Frequent colds, sore throats, or mouth ulcers
- Muscle weakness and blurred vision
Why is this happening?
It’s not just about diet. Over-farming has depleted our soil, and common medications (like Metformin or PPIs for reflux) can block your uptake of Vitamin B12, while high-stress lifestyles increase your body’s demand for it.
Fast, Safe, and Effective:
Because many of us struggle with gut absorption, injections are the gold standard. They bypass the digestive system, ensuring your body gets what it needs. We offer single injections, or a loading dose (4 sessions over 4–6 weeks) to fully replenish your stores.
Meeting you where you’re at
Looking ahead to Mental Health Awareness Week next week, we want to reiterate our patient-centred promise.
Low Vitamin B12 can lead to feelings of low self-worth, anxiety, and depression. We don’t just look at the numbers on a chart: we listen to how you feel.
Whatever the treatment you have booked for, our practitioners are here to meet you exactly where you’re at without judgment.
The Secret to Summer-ready Feet
While we help you get your energy back, let’s get your feet ready for the sunshine too!
If you have everyday foot concerns, seeing Amy (our Foot Health Practitioner) is a brilliant, cost-effective alternative to seeing a Podiatrist. Amy is absolutely lovely, and furthermore a pro at handling the minor care that makes a major difference:
- Smoothing out dry, cracked heels
- Gently removing stubborn corns
- Treating fungal nail and skin infections
- Cutting and reducing thickened or overgrown nails
This May, don’t let anything stand in the way of your fun in the sun.
Whether you need a Vitamin B12 boost to find your summer spark or a session with our Foot Health Practitioner to get sandal-ready, we’re here to help.
Big love, Tracy
Podiatrist, Mother, Yorkshire Tea addict & Clinic Director